All things Apple

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? Apple's big bounties

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Apple is increasing how much it pays to security researchers for the bugs they find in iPhones and Macs, with some payouts topping $2 million, Axios Future of Cybersecurity author Sam Sabin writes. Why it matters: Apple is incentivizing security researchers to spot bugs likely to be exploited by spyware vendors and nation-state hackers. The decision to increase payouts could help the tech giant compete against spyware vendors — and the foreign governments they work with — who often will pay big bucks for details about such flaws. Governments have increasingly turned to spyware to snoop on politicians, journalists, activists, dissidents and other high-profile figures. Keep reading.

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? Apple's AI assistant: Google

Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios

Apple has yet to deliver a smarter Siri. But a potential partnership with Google could yield an AI assistant beyond what Apple could produce on its own, Axios AI+ author Ina Fried writes. Why it matters: Apple has failed to deliver after laying out a compelling vision for Apple Intelligence and an improved Siri last year. The big picture: Bloomberg reports Apple is nearing a $1 billion-a-year agreement to run a custom version of Google's Gemini on Apple servers. ? Between the lines: Partnering with Google signals Apple may see less value in competing head-on in developing foundation models, where it is already far behind its competitors.

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Mac Pro Reportedly No Longer a Priority for Apple, Focus Switches to Mac Studio

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says the brand has put the Mac Pro 'on the back burner.'

https://www.pcmag.com/news/mac-pro-reportedly-no-longer-a-priority-for-apple-focus-switched-to-mac?

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Apple Reportedly Set for 'Imminent' Launch of M5 Pro, M5 Max MacBook Pros

The chip upgrades for the MacBook Pros are expected to coincide with the rollout of macOS 26.3.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-reportedly-set-for-imminent-launch-of-m5-pro-m5-max-macbook-pros?

Report: Second Foldable iPhone May Have a Clamshell Design

A new rumor suggests Apple is planning a sequel to its rumored book-like foldable device under a separate series.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/report-second-foldable-iphone-may-have-a-clamshell-design?

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💻 Apple plans to unveil new products at a March 4 event, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. Possibly on the menu: New MacBook Airs and Pros, plus new iPads. Gift link.

New iPhone, iPads, and Macs? Apple Announces March 4 Event

Apple sends out invites for a 'special Apple Experience' on March 4, where we could see the iPhone 17e, refreshed iPads, and the rumored low-cost MacBook.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-announces-march-4-special-experience-event-iphone17e-ipad-macbook?

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A $599 MacBook and 4 Other Things I Want Apple to Unveil on March 4

Apple reportedly has a refreshed iPhone, iPad, and MacBook on tap for next week. Here's what I'm excited to buy, and what you might want to add to your cart.

https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/a-599-macbook-and-4-other-things-i-want-apple-to-unveil-on-march-4?

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Apple's March 4 Event Is Almost Here. 5 Things on My Wishlist

Apple is poised to give its iPhone, iPads, and MacBooks a power boost this week. Here's what I plan to buy immediately, and what you might want to add to your cart.

https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/apple-march-4-event-is-almost-here-5-things-on-my-wishlist-iphone17e-599macbook?

Is Apple's First Touch-Screen MacBook Coming in 2026? Everything We Know

Apple will reportedly replace the mini-LED panels on the current models with OLED displays that are expected to support fast scrolling and pinch-to-zoom.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/is-apple-first-touch-screen-macbook-coming-in-2026-everything-we-know?

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🍎 India now makes 25% of iPhones

The Apple store in Mumbai on the first day of iPhone 17 sales in September. Photo: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg via Getty Images Apple now makes a quarter of its iPhones in India, after making a big push to move production away from China, Bloomberg reports. Apple assembled about 55 million iPhones in India last year, up from 36 million in 2024. It makes 220 million to 230 million globally each year. President Trump's tariffs "pushed Apple and its suppliers to move a greater share of devices meant for the American market to alternative manufacturing destinations, with India emerging as a major bright spot," Bloomberg notes. Gift link.

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50 Years of Apple

Apple turns 50 years old today, a milestone for one of the world’s most valuable companies, with a market capitalization of $3.7T as of this writing. CEO Tim Cook rang the Nasdaq bell yesterday to mark the moment.  Founders Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne launched Apple out of Jobs’ garage on April 1, 1976. Their goal was to make computers accessible not just for businesses but for everyday consumers. The Apple II became one of the most successful personal computers of the time, selling nearly 6 million units, and was followed by the Macintosh in 1984. After a yearslong departure from Apple, Jobs returned to the company in the late 1990s, overseeing the launch of the iMac, iPod, and iPhone alongside designer Jony Ive. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s population has an iPhone today; watch the 2007 iPhone launch here (w/video). Explore the history of Apple via 1440 Topics here.

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In Rare Move, Apple Releases iOS 18 'DarkSword' Patch for Newer iPhones

The threat of remotely installed malware is big enough that Apple stops begging people to install iOS 26 and 'backports' iOS 18.7.7 to iPhone 11 through iPhone 16.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/in-rare-move-apple-releases-ios-18-darksword-patch-for-newer-iphones?

They Can't All Be iPhones: 21 Times Apple Got It Very Wrong

Not every product can be a Mac or iPod. As Apple turns 50, let's take a look back at its most memorable failures.

https://www.pcmag.com/articles/apple-50th-anniversary-they-cant-all-be-iphones-21-biggest-failures?

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Small but mighty

The buzziest Apple product right now has become a status symbol among AI tinkerers, and the device’s growing popularity could preface a broader shift in how people use computers. (It’s not what you think.)